HERTSMI-2 and re-occupancy
HERTSMI-2 is a focused, DNA-based screen of the five mould species most linked to health effects in water-damaged buildings. It is often used to decide whether a remediated building is safe to re-occupy.
What HERTSMI-2 is
HERTSMI-2 is a DNA-based MSqPCR test that analyses a dust sample for 5 particular moulds, known as the "Big 5". The name is an acronym for Health Effects Roster of Type-Specific Formers of Mycotoxins and Inflammagens, 2nd Version.
How it differs from ERMI
HERTSMI-2 looks at 5 moulds, while ERMI looks at 36 species. Because it analyses only five, it is cheaper to run than the full 36-species ERMI.
ERMI gives an easy-to-understand comparison against a database of water-damaged and non-water-damaged buildings; HERTSMI-2 is the more targeted screen for a specific re-occupancy decision.
Using it for re-occupancy
The HERTSMI-2 score provides an indicator for people suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) as to whether it is safe for them to occupy their home without a recurrence of symptoms.
Sufferers can compare their score against the Surviving Mold HERTSMI-2 scorecard and reference graph to interpret the result.